VMCAS Questions and Rants c/o 2030

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thank you so much for taking the time to share the wording from the guide and for giving such a thoughtful response. i really do appreciate it!

i understand what you mean about murphy’s law and how risky it can feel to cut things close. in the moment, i looked at it more like taking an exam. i wanted to feel fully prepared before submitting so that what i turned in reflected my best effort. throughout undergrad this approach has served me well, since i tend to be careful, thorough, and a bit of a perfectionist like most haha. i did not anticipate the slowdown i faced, but i recognize now how much timing can shape the outcome.

afterward, i reached out directly to the programs i applied to, and they were supportive and did their best to help. they explained that vmcas had the final say. when i contacted vmcas, it felt as though the details and documentation i provided were set aside without much consideration, and that has been the hardest part of this situation. while i understand the importance of policies, it was discouraging to see the programs approach the matter with understanding while the central service did not appear willing to fully take into account the context behind the situation. i also viewed others who experienced similar slowdowns, so while it may not have been a system-wide issue, i know i was not alone.

i will stay hopeful that what i shared might still be taken into account. if i do find myself needing to wait until the next cycle, i know it will be a difficult, and i cannot say with certainty that another chance will be possible for me. still, i will try to carry the lessons from this experience and return stronger if given the chance. most of all, i am grateful for this community, because the support here has helped me keep perspective and reminded me that i am not facing this process entirely on my own. thank you again for your time and for sharing!
 
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thank you again for your time and for sharing!
Honestly, you are handling this pretty maturely and if this is a reflection of the type of person you are offline, I would say you would be a pleasure to interview. Accepting criticism and advice even if it isn’t the answer you necessarily want to here is a good trait, actually taking the information you are given into consideration and doing a self-reflection is even better. Best of luck to you, but be weary, we’re heading into October which will decrease your chances of having an exception be made.
 
thank you so much for taking the time to share the exact wording from the guide and for giving such a thoughtful response. i really do appreciate it.

i understand what you mean about murphy’s law and how risky it can feel to cut things close. in the moment, i looked at it more like taking an exam. i wanted to feel fully prepared before submitting so that what i turned in reflected my best effort. throughout undergrad this approach has served me well, since i tend to be careful, thorough, and a bit of a perfectionist like most. i did not anticipate the slowdown i faced, but i recognize now how much timing can shape the outcome.

afterward, i reached out directly to the programs i applied to, and they were supportive and did their best to help. they explained that vmcas had the final say. when i contacted vmcas, it felt as though the details and documentation i provided were set aside without much consideration, and that has been the hardest part of this situation. while i understand the importance of policies, it was discouraging to see the programs approach the matter with understanding while the central service did not appear willing to fully take into account the context behind the situation. i also viewed others who experienced similar slowdowns, so while it may not have been a system-wide issue, i know i was not alone.

i will stay hopeful that what i shared might still be taken into account. if i do find myself needing to wait until the next cycle, i know it will be a difficult, and i cannot say with certainty that another chance will be possible for me. still, i will try to carry the lessons from this experience and return stronger if given the chance. most of all, i am grateful for this community, because the support here has helped me keep perspective and reminded me that i am not facing this process entirely on my own. thank you again for your time and for sharing!
Truly sorry you are in this place. Wish you the best and that you get a surprise positive resolution. Don’t give up yet. Just need one person that will listen and be willing to help.
 
thank you so much for taking the time to share the exact wording from the guide and for giving such a thoughtful response. i really do appreciate it.
hey I hope things work out for you and overall my heart goes out to you because this whole thing is stressful.

i want to emphasize that, for me, nothing really prepared me for truly understanding the ins and outs of VMCAS other than literally going through it that first cycle. like i thought i knew the vet school application process, seeing as this is my life’s dream, but, i had a lot go wrong during my first cycle as well. and i really beat myself up about it because i thought i should’ve known better but i just want you to know you’re not the only one and you’re taking all of this really well. my second cycle went wayyyyyy better and also the gap year i had between cycles led me to having absolutely life changing experience that i wouldn’t trade for the world.
 
hey I hope things work out for you and overall my heart goes out to you because this whole thing is stressful.

i want to emphasize that, for me, nothing really prepared me for truly understanding the ins and outs of VMCAS other than literally going through it that first cycle. like i thought i knew the vet school application process, seeing as this is my life’s dream, but, i had a lot go wrong during my first cycle as well. and i really beat myself up about it because i thought i should’ve known better but i just want you to know you’re not the only one and you’re taking all of this really well. my second cycle went wayyyyyy better and also the gap year i had between cycles led me to having absolutely life changing experience that i wouldn’t trade for the world.
crossing my fingers, but thank you so much for sharing this with me. it honestly helps a lot. i’ve been in my head about everything, but hearing that you went through something similar and still came out with something positive makes me feel a whole lot better.

this process has already shown me how humbling it can be, but your story reminds me that setbacks aren’t definitive. i’m trying to hold onto the fact that every step, even the tough ones, is still moving me closer to my goal of becoming a veterinarian.

i really appreciate your kindness and honesty. it’s helped me keep perspective, and it inspires me to keep pushing forward with the same resilience and positivity you’ve shown.
 
Truly sorry you are in this place. Wish you the best and that you get a surprise positive resolution. Don’t give up yet. Just need one person that will listen and be willing to help.
thank you so much, it means a lot. i’ve honestly reached out to what feels like half of congress at this point haha, just hoping that someone will listen and be willing to see this situation case by case. i’m still waiting on some responses and i’ll keep trying because i really do believe there’s a fair outcome in all of this. your kindness means more to me than i can fully express, and it keeps me hopeful!
 
Honestly, you are handling this pretty maturely and if this is a reflection of the type of person you are offline, I would say you would be a pleasure to interview. Accepting criticism and advice even if it isn’t the answer you necessarily want to here is a good trait, actually taking the information you are given into consideration and doing a self-reflection is even better. Best of luck to you, but be weary, we’re heading into October which will decrease your chances of having an exception be made.
thank you so much for saying that, i always try to! based on the way you have shared your perspective, i would also say it would be a pleasure to have you as an interviewer!

i know not every piece of feedback is easy to hear, but it is necessary, and i have made it a point to reflect and take it all in. the support i have received throughout this process has meant everything to me, and it continues to push me to keep going because i believe deeply in my circumstance. i also believe that october creeping in lessens the chance, but until then i am committed to doing everything i can to move this forward.

through all of this, i have had the chance to interact with so many incredible people both within this field and beyond, nd each interaction has made me more certain that this is where i am meant to be if the chance is given. seeing actively that this profession is filled with people who lead with kindness, honesty, and encouragement makes me even more determined to one day stand alongside them. your message reminded me that hope still has a place in this process, and for that i am deeply grateful.
 
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thank you so much for saying that, i always try to! based on the way you have shared your perspective, i would also say it would be a pleasure to have you as an interviewer!

i know not every piece of feedback is easy to hear, but it is necessary, and i have made it a point to reflect and take it all in. the support i have received throughout this process has meant everything to me, and it continues to push me to keep going because i believe deeply in my circumstance. i also believe that october creeping in lessens the chance, but until then i am committed to doing everything i can to move this forward.

through all of this, i have had the chance to interact with so many incredible people both within this field and beyond, nd each interaction has made me more certain that this is where i am meant to be if the chance is given. seeing actively that this profession is filled with people who lead with kindness, honesty, and encouragement makes me even more determined to one day stand alongside them. your message reminded me that hope still has a place in this process, and for that i am deeply grateful.
This whole situation and the manner of which you're handling it says a lot about you as a person and as a future professional in this field. Keep that passion and keep pushing, the setbacks can be really frustrating at times but they teach us a lot about ourselves. Remaining strong and steady in the face of chaos is huge in this field and in life in general.

Similar to what fauna said earlier, I thought I had everything figured out for my first application and that I had been so prepared, until I did more and more research at the start of this cycle and realized how I had straight up forgotten to add tons of experiences and how I had done a very poor job at portraying myself as a strong, well rounded applicant. For so many people, myself included, the first cycle served as a way to learn, grow, and better ourselves and our applications. And if you saw my earlier dilemma in this thread, I still didn't have it all figured out this second time around!

Ultimately, just know you're not alone. Keep your head up and keep trucking along friend!!
 
thank you so much for saying that, i always try to! based on the way you have shared your perspective, i would also say it would be a pleasure to have you as an interviewer!

i know not every piece of feedback is easy to hear, but it is necessary, and i have made it a point to reflect and take it all in. the support i have received throughout this process has meant everything to me, and it continues to push me to keep going because i believe deeply in my circumstance. i also believe that october creeping in lessens the chance, but until then i am committed to doing everything i can to move this forward.

through all of this, i have had the chance to interact with so many incredible people both within this field and beyond, nd each interaction has made me more certain that this is where i am meant to be if the chance is given. seeing actively that this profession is filled with people who lead with kindness, honesty, and encouragement makes me even more determined to one day stand alongside them. your message reminded me that hope still has a place in this process, and for that i am deeply grateful.
Just curious - any updates?
 
lemme rant real quick bc my dummy brain didn't realize the whole portal shut down and we can't access the applications we submitted, and of course I didn't save them before hand 🙃 so now that clemson released their application, I have to start from scratch if I want to apply there. ugh!!!!
 
so what is everyone doing while we wait for decisions/updates in Nov/Dec? what new things is anyone doing to keep their mind busy during these times?
im trying to forget I applied so time passes more quickly but its so hard!! I have been doing arts and crafts when im not at work lol
 
lemme rant real quick bc my dummy brain didn't realize the whole portal shut down and we can't access the applications we submitted, and of course I didn't save them before hand 🙃 so now that clemson released their application, I have to start from scratch if I want to apply there. ugh!!!!
Email vmcas. They should be able to send you a copy of one of your full apps
 
im trying to forget I applied so time passes more quickly but its so hard!! I have been doing arts and crafts when im not at work lol
I'm currently adopting my first ever feline child. My family has always been more dog oriented, but I want to travel the world w my feline baby and hopefully go to vet school w her. I bought her some toys and im anxious to meet her next week

PS I have so much to clean my new apt to be able to take her in im like instantly regretting cooking meals at home fr can't stand doing dishes
 
I'm currently adopting my first ever feline child. My family has always been more dog oriented, but I want to travel the world w my feline baby and hopefully go to vet school w her. I bought her some toys and im anxious to meet her next week

PS I have so much to clean my new apt to be able to take her in im like instantly regretting cooking meals at home fr can't stand doing dishes
Oooh! Congrats! Besides offering much needed cuddles, having a pet means you’ve always got a-mostly-willing volunteer to practice physical exams on. I still can’t quite feel lymph nodes or the right kidney and I feel bad that I have to keep poking and prodding my roommate’s cat. She’s a sweetheart, but she’s starting to get sick and tired of my bs lol
 
I have to say, this cycle is going by so fast?? Maybe it’s because I didn’t have to apply this year. The difference in the passage of time between this year and last year is like…insane
 
I have to say, this cycle is going by so fast?? Maybe it’s because I didn’t have to apply this year. The difference in the passage of time between this year and last year is like…insane
Yeah, I think this is just because you’re on this side now bahaha. Wait a couple more years and you’ll be saying how fast vet school flew by.
 
Yeah, I think this is just because you’re on this side now bahaha. Wait a couple more years and you’ll be saying how fast vet school flew by.
Seriously!!! I just finished week 8 of my MPH, and I already registered for my spring classes?? HUH???? Feels like I just started yesterday !!!!
 
I have to say, this cycle is going by so fast?? Maybe it’s because I didn’t have to apply this year. The difference in the passage of time between this year and last year is like…insane
I blinked and I'm in second year. I assume a few more blinks and I'll be taking the NAVLE.
A few more blinks and you'll be several years out in practice!

It's kind of fun/sad to reminisce and realize how nice it was to be able to be short-sighted and only worry about the next few years at one point. Once you're done with school, you get to worry about the rest of your living days lol
 
I have to say, this cycle is going by so fast?? Maybe it’s because I didn’t have to apply this year. The difference in the passage of time between this year and last year is like…insane
Yea that's how I felt last year too. This year I forgot the cycle even began until July lol

ETA: same for the whole blinking and I'm a second year thing. It's good though, wouldn't want it to drag 🤣
 
A few more blinks and you'll be several years out in practice!

It's kind of fun/sad to reminisce and realize how nice it was to be able to be short-sighted and only worry about the next few years at one point. Once you're done with school, you get to worry about the rest of your living days lol
I am mad that I can't blink and my dishes are clean, dry, and stored away.
 
Oooh! Congrats! Besides offering much needed cuddles, having a pet means you’ve always got a-mostly-willing volunteer to practice physical exams on. I still can’t quite feel lymph nodes or the right kidney and I feel bad that I have to keep poking and prodding my roommate’s cat. She’s a sweetheart, but she’s starting to get sick and tired of my bs lol
you're so right. I am ready for her to be sick of my love and appreciation. Btw I can't believe it but after a tough cycle last year, I finally got my safe school option in the bag. I feel so much better and already at a good start for this cycle. Still stressed about the whole Big Beautiful Bill bs tho...

update: I was frantically cleaning my apt these past few days prepping to see her today and it didn't happen. Hopefully I will by Thursday, but omg why am I nervous I feel like I don't have everything yet.
 
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you're so right. I am ready for her to be sick of my love and appreciation. Btw I can't believe it but after a tough cycle last year, I finally got my safe school option in the bag. I feel so much better and already at a good start for this cycle. Still stressed about the whole Big Beautiful Bill bs tho...

update: I was frantically cleaning my apt these past few days prepping to see her today and it didn't happen. Hopefully I will by Thursday, but omg why am I nervous I feel like I don't have everything yet.
Wait till you get your kitty and the second you have to leave your apartment, you'll be imaging a thousand and one worst case scenarios you could come home to.

I'm fostering a kitten that potentially has CH and even though he's in his playpen all day-and I know he can't get out-the most outlandish ideas pop into my head. What if he gets stuck and I come home to a fracture? Or the zipper pops off and he eats it and now I have a foreign body obstruction? But is he super cute and makes my stress fade away? Yes. Yes he is. And I'm sure your kitten will do the same for you!
 
This problem persists throughout life

The closest I ever came was having a dishwasher. Went to bed with no dishes, woke up to hot squeaky clean dishes.

I miss my dishwasher.

Fam, House Spouse. I cannot emphasize it enough. If there are children involved, they can start doing major chores at 3. Toddler Bats does his own laundry. He just has to be picked up to press the buttons on the washer and dryer.
 
Fam, House Spouse. I cannot emphasize it enough. If there are children involved, they can start doing major chores at 3. Toddler Bats does his own laundry. He just has to be picked up to press the buttons on the washer and dryer.
Unfortunately those have become like limited edition collectors items as I’ve gotten older and they don’t just give them out for free. And finding them secondhand comes with its own issues. You’re lucky!
 
Fam, House Spouse.
That's the goal eventually but I currently have A Working Spouse. My model doesn't come with as much time per day to care for the house. 2 more years of school and probably five more years of training before I can truly upgrade.

Toddler Bats does his own laundry. He just has to be picked up to press the buttons on the washer and dryer.
This is wild to me. My mom was a "if I don't do it it won't get done right", so I didn't really wash dishes or do laundry until college which was super not helpful for suddenly living on my own. The spouse had a much more similar experience to Toddler Bats.
 
Fam, House Spouse. I cannot emphasize it enough. If there are children involved, they can start doing major chores at 3. Toddler Bats does his own laundry. He just has to be picked up to press the buttons on the washer and dryer.
*furiously taking notes*
 
This is wild to me. My mom was a "if I don't do it it won't get done right", so I didn't really wash dishes or do laundry until college which was super not helpful for suddenly living on my own. The spouse had a much more similar experience to Toddler Bats.
Same. I so desperately wanted to do my own laundry in college (I commuted) and asking her didn't work so I secretly went and bought a hamper and started doing it myself. We got into a fight about it lol and then she dropped it. But slowly over time she started doing it for me again and I wasn't able to *actually* do my laundry until I started vet school.

As hard as it is doing basic chores while balancing everything else in my life and vet school at once, I sure am grateful for being able to have some independence for once. I'm also grateful to be able to let dishes pile up and no one is there to yell at me 😆 A full sink means a full belly
 
Unfortunately those have become like limited edition collectors items as I’ve gotten older and they don’t just give them out for free. And finding them secondhand comes with its own issues. You’re lucky!

I have a friend who is single and would probably make a good house spouse 👀 Been looking for a lady friend for him for years. Would just have to find some way to ship him to you.

That's the goal eventually but I currently have A Working Spouse. My model doesn't come with as much time per day to care for the house. 2 more years of school and probably five more years of training before I can truly upgrade.


This is wild to me. My mom was a "if I don't do it it won't get done right", so I didn't really wash dishes or do laundry until college which was super not helpful for suddenly living on my own. The spouse had a much more similar experience to Toddler Bats.

My younger BIL is the child that was taught no life skills. Lives at home at 27 with no driving skills, no housekeeping skills, no job skills. Get to give her a fright this winter whenever my estate planning is done. Going to give her a copy of our plans and tell her, "Please get us a copy of your plans, including what BIL would plan to do if you were to be suddenly incapacitated in any way." When she asks, "Won't he live with you?" No, MIL. BIL is not my responsibility and is not living in my house.

Maybe I'm just paranoid. But things happen that put people in bad positions all the time. It's a parent's job to prepare kids for the world. Coddling not only hurts a child while their young (not learning important life lessons), but sets them up to fail decades down the line (my BIL has no savings, including retirement and missed out on 5-10 years of compounding interest).
 
Maybe I'm just paranoid. But things happen that put people in bad positions all the time. It's a parent's job to prepare kids for the world. Coddling not only hurts a child while their young (not learning important life lessons), but sets them up to fail decades down the line (my BIL has no savings, including retirement and missed out on 5-10 years of compounding interest).
My mom is somehow still the only one of her sisters who does not have an adult child living at home.

I figured it out, but it definitely set me back a bit. I do have a t-shirt that was dyed slightly pink due to a laundry mishap lol.
 
My mom is somehow still the only one of her sisters who does not have an adult child living at home.

I figured it out, but it definitely set me back a bit. I do have a t-shirt that was dyed slightly pink due to a laundry mishap lol.

Everyone has that one blue or pink dyed object 🤣

I'm definitely concerned about being a helicopter parent. Hopefully the millennials and Gen Z'ers will not over correct too much and just release feral teenagers into the world like it's the 80s 🤣
 
Fam, House Spouse. I cannot emphasize it enough. If there are children involved, they can start doing major chores at 3. Toddler Bats does his own laundry. He just has to be picked up to press the buttons on the washer and dryer.
noted.
*furiously taking notes*
note: 1. have children and produce house chore army
 
Same. I so desperately wanted to do my own laundry in college (I commuted) and asking her didn't work so I secretly went and bought a hamper and started doing it myself. We got into a fight about it lol and then she dropped it. But slowly over time she started doing it for me again and I wasn't able to *actually* do my laundry until I started vet school.

As hard as it is doing basic chores while balancing everything else in my life and vet school at once, I sure am grateful for being able to have some independence for once. I'm also grateful to be able to let dishes pile up and no one is there to yell at me 😆 A full sink means a full belly
A real conversation I had with my mom:

Me: Mom, I leave for college in a few weeks and I don't know how to do laundry.
Mom: What do you mean you don't know how to do laundry?
Me: You've never let me or asked me to do laundry. Do I need to separate it? Do the temperatures matter?
Mom: You really don't know how to do laundry?
Me: No! You never taught me or had me do it.

Fight ensues about how she does everything for us and we don't know how to take care of ourselves without her but we never show her any appreciation or thanks for it.
 
Hard disagree. Laundry I throw it in, set a timer, do some stuff, switch it, set a timer, do some stuff, fold it.

Dishes is just soppy, soggy sadness. Also wet food in the sink drain makes me wanna vom. I'll do dish but the spouse empties the drain because I legit gag.
 
LOL

I do the dishes and my husband does the laundry for this reason. Also he is VERY particular about his folding.
girl, i don’t even fold anymore. i just HATE it. i have just enough pairs of scrubs to get through the week, so i literally just grab them out of the clean clothes monster pile i have created in my room.
 
Hard disagree. Laundry I throw it in, set a timer, do some stuff, switch it, set a timer, do some stuff, fold it.

Dishes is just soppy, soggy sadness. Also wet food in the sink drain makes me wanna vom. I'll do dish but the spouse empties the drain because I legit gag.
i am selective about what i cook depending on what i feel like i can deal with cleaning that day LMAO. also dish brushes, scraping tools, a good sponge (i love my scrub mommy) make all the difference for me. i like that if i use one plate i can quickly scrub it down and be done with dishes. laundry just sits and piles until i have enough for a load.
 
i am selective about what i cook depending on what i feel like i can deal with cleaning that day LMAO. also dish brushes, scraping tools, a good sponge (i love my scrub mommy) make all the difference for me. i like that if i use one plate i can quickly scrub it down and be done with dishes. laundry just sits and piles until i have enough for a load.
I love dish daddy tho. I hate touching the food so it gives me a little relief. But for some reason it retains a lot less soap so I end up consuming a lot of soap if I have lots of dishes (which I try not to but theres days)

i will train my new (feline) child to do dishes
 
I have a friend who is single and would probably make a good house spouse 👀 Been looking for a lady friend for him for years. Would just have to find some way to ship him to you.



My younger BIL is the child that was taught no life skills. Lives at home at 27 with no driving skills, no housekeeping skills, no job skills. Get to give her a fright this winter whenever my estate planning is done. Going to give her a copy of our plans and tell her, "Please get us a copy of your plans, including what BIL would plan to do if you were to be suddenly incapacitated in any way." When she asks, "Won't he live with you?" No, MIL. BIL is not my responsibility and is not living in my house.

Maybe I'm just paranoid. But things happen that put people in bad positions all the time. It's a parent's job to prepare kids for the world. Coddling not only hurts a child while their young (not learning important life lessons), but sets them up to fail decades down the line (my BIL has no savings, including retirement and missed out on 5-10 years of compounding interest).
Literally did not know you even had another BIL aside from the one who has daughterniece
 
Hard disagree. Laundry I throw it in, set a timer, do some stuff, switch it, set a timer, do some stuff, fold it.

Dishes is just soppy, soggy sadness. Also wet food in the sink drain makes me wanna vom. I'll do dish but the spouse empties the drain because I legit gag.
Y E S.
I make fiancé put anything that’s been sitting in the sink in the dishwasher. I’ll unload it (eventually) but I’m not touching soppy dishes with wet food bc also vom
 
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